Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner
This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This acne toner is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and balance excess oil.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSalicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, CI 42090, CI 61570, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTASodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
